Psalm 32

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about Psalm 32 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 32 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 33.
Psalm 32
BookBook of Psalms
Hebrew Bible partKetuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
CategorySifrei Emet
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Psalm 32 is the 32nd psalm of the Book of Psalms. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 31. The Psalmist (traditionally, King David) expresses the joy of being released from great suffering. The psalm is divided into two parts: in verses 1–5, the psalmist proclaims the joy of seeing his fault remitted by God, and in verse 6 to verse 11, he shows his confidence in the conviction that God is the guide on the right path.

The harm suffered by the psalmist is very hard to bear, although we can not know precisely its nature. The psalmist seeks to understand where it comes from, because at the time, misfortune was understood as a consequence of the sins one has committed. But far from being an opportunity to revolt, this event leads him to experience God's forgiveness.

Structure[]

This Psalm is one of the seven penitential psalms,[1] as its focus is on the former sins of the psalmist. It is one of the psalms known as a maschil, meaning "enlightened" or "wise", and the Jerusalem Bible describes it as a "didactic psalm".[1] The psalm itself is not a prayer of repentance, but a confession of sin is consummated. It also touches on themes of wisdom poetry, and belongs to the series of psalms of thanksgiving of an individual. According to James Luther Mays, the Psalmist, in the exercise of repentance teaches others of his experience and gives therefore instructions.[2] It is divided into the following segments:[3]

1. Verse 1: Commitment to repentance
2. Verse 3-5: The psalmist's distress
3. Verse 6: Forgiveness and admonition to others
4. Verse 8: Wisdom speech
5. Verse 10: Summary of experience
6. Verse 11: Rejoicing over the forgiveness of sins

Uses[]

Judaism[]

New Testament[]

Paul the Apostle references verses 1 and 2 of the Psalm in Romans 4:7–8, in his explanation of salvation by faith, not works.[8][9]

Catholic Church[]

Following St. Benedict of Nursia,[10][11] the practice in the Middle Ages was for monasteries to recite or sing this Psalm at matins on Sundays.[12] Today, Psalm 31 is sung or recited at Vespers on the Thursday of the first week of the main four-weekly cycle of liturgical prayers.

Book of Common Prayer[]

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the sixth day of the month.[13]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Jerusalem Bible (1966), footnote a at Psalm 32
  2. ^ James Luther Mays, Psalms (1994), 145.
  3. ^ Hermann Gunkel, The Psalms (6 1986), 135.
  4. ^ The Artscroll Tehillim, page 329
  5. ^ Weintraub, Rabbi Simkha Y. (2018). "Psalms as the Ultimate Self-Help Tool". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  6. ^ Greenbaum, Rabbi Avraham (2007). "The Ten Psalms: English Translation". azamra.org. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  7. ^ The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, page 7
  8. ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Romans 4 - New International Version".
  9. ^ Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Vol. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 838. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  10. ^ Règle de saint Benoît, traduction de Prosper Guéranger, p. 46, Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes
  11. ^ "La distribution des Psaumes dans la Règle de Saint Benoît | Mont des Cats".
  12. ^ Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, p. 89.
  13. ^ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff

Further reading[]

  • John Barton, John Muddiman (eds.), The Oxford Bible Commentary, Oxford University Press, 2001, p. 377.

External links[]

  • Psalm 32 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 32 King James Bible - Wikisource
Retrieved from ""